Part of ZTE’s 5G Flexhaul family, ZXCTN 609 features ZTE’s FlexE (flexible Ethernet) technology, supporting integrated fronthaul, midhaul and backhaul transmission and flexible on-demand deployment. ZXCTN 609 brings “the equivalent of network slicing to the backhaul network,” Glen Hunt, a principal analyst at GlobalData, wrote in the report.

“The ZXCTN 609 supports separate backhaul slices (tunnels), each with independent performance characteristics, meeting 5G demands for low-latency, high-speed, flexible connections,” Mr. Hunt said. “ZXCTN 609 expands ZTE’s Flexhaul series to support 100G links to handle expected high-bandwidth 5G backhaul speeds, with high-availability features such as protection switchover and SDN control.”

“‘Flexibility’ is clearly the focus, with FlexE supporting a variety of service characteristics for applications such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (uRLLC), which have vastly different transport requirements,” Mr Hunt said. The new product is helping ZTE “further its stake in the emerging 5G infrastructure market.”

The faster data speeds of 5G services will require operators to deploy 100G+ in the access and aggregation layers of the service provider networks, according to Mr. Hunt.

“ZTE has significantly revved up its marketing presence in telecom technology and software markets by visibly marketing its very high-performance optical transport platforms, creating a highly visible presence and leadership position in network virtualization technologies (NVFi and vEPC) and industry forums,” said Mr. Hunt.

GlobalData, a leading research company headquartered in London, offers market insights and intelligence on technology, telecommunications, and digital industries. GlobalData is the parent company of Current Analysis.